In more than two decades of working on ships, Nico has seen the heart-breaking story repeatedly, perhaps hundreds of times... The mixed emotions of a man working at sea that becomes a father while doing back-breaking work on a ship somewhere, thousands of kilometres from home. He works to provide for his family. There is nothing strange about it and it is nothing new. Yet, each time, even after twenty years, the situation touches you deeply. 

With the arrival of a new baby far away, while you are working at sea, there is always euphoria and tragedy in the air. It is a fight to the death between powers that compete for the heart of a seaman. Nico has seen victims of both possibilities. Sometimes the euphoria of the moment is enough to carry the man through the situation, but at times tragedy wins and then the man finds himself in an existential crisis. In the midst of such a spinning situation you often ask yourself, ‘Why am I doing this work?’ or, ‘What kind of father is not there for his wife and child?’ These questions tend to draw you deeper into the spinning and dangerous spiral of thoughts. Oliver is a third officer. His travels through this work at sea are marked by a certain inevitability. It was definitely not his first choice. Just like many others that try to eke out a life in a country with limited options, you have to find something within those limitations. You take what you can get, irrespective of the price. 

When Nico meets him, the weight of the grim reality bears heavily on his shoulders. He tells how the combination of long, merciless hours and the fact that he has not been able to hold his two-month-old baby often threaten to pull the rug from under him. His expectations are almost tangible. He makes no secret of the fact that he now wishes for the end of his contract.  But he already thinks about the next farewell. The Christmas and New Year celebrations will be short indeed. He will have to pack and prepare for joining a new vessel. He will miss hearing the first words of his son. He will miss the first steps. Yet, he knows he has to provide for his family. He has to do what he must...

This morning, in the Durban harbour, Nico’s visit is a miracle. The timing is perfect. There seems to be a bigger Hand operating here. Oliver needs, at this moment someone to care for him with understanding and Christ-love. That is why Nico is there, at the right place and time, ‘by accident’. At the CSO we care for seamen whose lives on board the ships are grim realities. We do this every day. They cannot escape from their realities. 

We care, knowing that there are no ‘coincidences’. We know that those that cross our paths need to experience the love, hope and mercy that the Cross brings.  Your financial contribution can help us to continue serving and caring for the men working at sea every day. Our plea is that you consider supporting us with what we do.

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